Nestled in a picturesque valley on the Costa Blanca, Orba is a charming town in the Spanish community of Valencia. It lies just a short drive from the beaches of Javea and Denia and offers easy access to the caves and nature reserves of Marina Alta.
Things to do in Orba
Orba makes an excellent base for visiting the Pego-Oliva Marsh Nature Reserve, which encompasses 1,290 hectares of terrain. Fed by a network of ancient irrigation ditches, it provides important habitat for birdlife, striped-neck terrapins and mosquitofish. Nearby is Font Salada, a natural thermal spring revered for its healing properties. Before or after your swim, you can follow the short trail that leads from the pool to the source of the River Bullent.
Travelling with kids? Don’t miss a visit to the Vergel Safari Park, which is home to free-roaming lions, tigers and wolves. More than 145 animal species are represented at the zoo, including a diverse array of reptiles, seals and native Iberian fauna. You can get up close to domesticated ponies and pigs, admire the African birds in the aviaries or enjoy a miniature train ride around the park.
Venture underground at the Cueva de las Calaveras, a 900-metre-long cavern system that was inhabited by Neanderthals. During a 17th-century speleological expedition, the remains of 12 people were discovered inside. On guided tours, you can admire the cave’s spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, as well as its 20-metre-high domes.
Getting around Orba
Orba is just over an hour’s drive from Valencia and Valencia Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular buses connect to Orba and the town is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the area.